A House in Miller's Ledge

If
one were to travel three days by buggy from Green Hills, you would
arrive at the quiet little village of Miller’s Ledge. Upon
approach you would notice the graceful steeple of the town church
standing tall and white, a beacon like a landlocked lighthouse. You
would also pass by the shops along its main road and the whitewashed,
picket fences of its neat houses. Perhaps you would pause on the
green to refresh your horse from the cool well and enjoy a freshly
baked mince tart from Martha’s Bakery in the shade of a sheltering
elm tree. Resting on the soft grasses you would think that, if one
were searching for a place to call Eden then surely Miller’s Ledge
would be a likely suitor.

Alas,
dear friend, surfaces can be deceiving and one does not have to
scratch too deep to discover the serpent here.

Direct
your attention now to a rough and overgrown path that leads away from
the pleasantness of the green. If you could convince your horse to
venture forth, you’d find the road rutted, uneven, the trees
alongside spilling over and casting deep shadows on the weeds that
sprouted untamed. Perched overhead like sentries, ravens sit
silently in the branches waiting to swoop down with great, dark wings
upon any trespassers. The wind, which clings low to the ground and
hisses around the trunks, carries with it a subtle acrid scent that
makes the nose twitch and raises gooseflesh on even summer days.

It
would soon become obvious that few, if any, venture down this trail
and you would be wise to turn about and follow their lead.

For
if you were to continue, you would come to a simple small house,
proudly keeping up its front while Mother Nature tries to reclaim it.
Its walls are white with dark green shutters and a front door of
plum. The paint has started to peel off its clapboard sides, the
roofline sags slightly in the middle and the shutters no longer hang
square. A small awning over the front door now rests upon one post
and the fence that once encircled it has fallen in places.

Despite its unassuming appearance, though, the house has a sinister
history that makes it a place to be avoided. So much so that the
townspeople cannot even bring themselves to venture onto the land to
destroy it, to burn its evil from their midst. Rather it looms down
the dark road as an unwelcome landmark.

For
the house once belonged to one Phineas Cooper who had arrived by
carriage on a fine spring day in 1837. The driver had stopped for
provisions and Phineas stepped out of the cramped coach to stretch
his frame. He was tall, solidly built and carried himself with the
manner of a gentleman. His light, brown hair was swept back into a
small knot tied by a red ribbon and accentuated his sharp features.
Though he was but 27 upon his arrival he had experienced enough of
the world to have grown weary of its headlong pace. His dark eyes
swept around the sweet pleasantness he had found and concluded that
it would be a fine place to settle himself.

He
first took up residence with Pastor Bellow and helped him around the
church. Phineas began doing small carpentry jobs in exchange for the
room and displayed a natural skill with his hands. It was not long
before he began taking on larger tasks, removing the pews and
refashioning them with ornate carvings and details.

A
row would vanish after Sunday service and return for Wednesday’s
with biblical scenes carved into the ends and all along the back edge
of the seat were visions of the sufferings in Hell. Tortured souls
cowering under a whip or toiling under the millstone of their sins,
waist deep in the lake of fire. Whilst kneeling and praying or
listening to Pastor Bellow, the flock could gaze upon the punishments
of sinners and reflect upon their own shortcomings. So powerful was
Phineas’ skill that rarely did a service pass by without someone
feeling such great a weight of guilt that they needed to bolt up and
testify before their neighbors and The Lord Almighty.

Phineas’
reputation as a skilled woodworker grew and soon he was sought out
for projects all over the county. He also found himself the
attention of many of the ladies of the county. Often times, he would
find a basket of currant scones or fiddlehead pies outside his
woodshed, courtesy of the mother of some eligible young lady with
perhaps an invite to Sunday dinner. More often than not, he would
accept and rave over the meal and he was considered all around to be
a delightful dinner companion. However, the young lady to whom he
was being steered would inevitably fail to catch his fancy.

Some
were too thin or some were too plump, some did not giggle at just the
right moment or with just the right tinkle to please his ear. He
cared not whether some were brunette or raven-haired and even Mrs.
Bellow's red-headed niece, who visited with them for a day, failed to
stir any interest from Phineas. The status of the family, too,
played no role in those whose company he chose to spend time with,
enjoying the attentions of both prominent families and those that
lived on the fringes of the town.

His
manner, though light and gay, disguised a heart he kept closed.

Until
the night he saw Miss Emily Green.

Master
Green owned a spread of rolling land that had produced prize winning
black gillyflower apples at every grange fair for the last fifty
years and a stable of horses esteemed for their strength and
temperament. Though not the wealthiest of families, they moved in
those circles and their daughter was much in demand. Many suitors
tried to win her hand, for not only was her family well placed but
Emily was fair of face and refined in manner, yet none had seemed to
be able to win her attention.

Phineas
saw her at a church social and was immediately smitten. His eyes
locked onto her profile as she sat within a protective circle of
admirers She sipped daintily at her cider, taking delicate bites
from her sugar cake and demurred from a tray of sweets. When she
danced, she seemed to glide just inches above the floor with such
poise that all the others faded into the shadows. Her slender nose
wrinkled slightly as she giggled into her gloved hand and her cheeks
flushed.

He
tried casting glances her way in hopes of catching her eye but he
seemed to always be too late or look away too soon. As the night
ended and people headed back to their homes, he found himself making
the rounds and saying his ‘good nights’ until he came to the
table at which sat the object of his new found affection.

After
introductions and pleasantries, Mrs. Green complimented him on his
work at church and said that she was in need of a new sideboard as
their current one was much too small for their ever expanding holiday
fare.

“Perhaps
I could stop by day after next to see what you have and what might
work best for you?” he suggested, knowing full and well that it
would be Sunday and a delicious meal could be in the offering which
would afford him a greater opportunity to impress himself upon Miss
Emily.

“If
we’re not careful, the sideboard will not be the only thing to be
expanding this holiday,” Mr. Green said jovially as he patted his
midsection. “My Madeline makes some the finest apple pies you’ll
have ever tasted Mr. Cooper.”

Phineas
nodded knowingly and looked down at his own belly. He slid his gaze
over Emily’s face though she pointedly ignored him, brushing away a
nonexistent wrinkle in her dress. She was younger than he by perhaps
ten years and her features even more pleasing up close. Her hair was
golden and fine, her eyes were a deepest blue, lips slightly pouting
and just a touch of rouge on her pale cheeks.

“I
look forward to trying one of your blue ribbon pies, Mrs. Green.”
He smiled genially, fixing his eyes on her and not her daughter.

With
great anticipation on his part, he left the meeting hall and hastened
back to his room at Pastor Bellow’s to make his plan to win fair
Emily’s heart.

Please
remind yourself that Phineas Cooper had never felt such as he felt
that night. His heart had finally softened and thoughts of Emily now
raced about his mind. His fingers even trembled in nervousness as
buttoned his nightshirt, thinking of a future with Emily.

‘Men
plan and the Lord laughs’ is an old saying and never was it truer
than in the case of Phineas Cooper and his Emily Green. For all the
envisioning that Phineas did, it seemed that there were other plans
in store and they did not include his winning Miss Emily’s
affections.

Phineas
arrived at the appointed hour and was given ample time to stir her
interest. He rolled up his sleeves to move the heavy sideboard
easily then measured the space with his folding rule. At the dining
table, he ably calculated the measurements in his head, promoting to
the Greens that he was an educated man. Over cool tea, he commented
favorably on the Green’s collection of books and noted quite loudly
the ones that he had read.

He
was, as always, a perfect gentleman and more than charmed Mr. and
Mrs. Green. Still, Emily remained cordial yet aloof towards him and
were Phineas not so besotted he would have seen that she did not
share his feelings.

He was not to be rebuffed, however, and when he returned to show Mrs.
Green his plan for the new sideboard he was as solicitous and
gentlemanly towards Emily as he could be. A few days later he
returned to deliver an empty pie plate that Mrs. Green had insisted
he take away when it was still full and he took a cool drink with
Emily on the porch. He tried to engage her into conversation but she
only politely answered his inquiries and there was much silence on
her side. She remained unmoved and, though other men may have
despaired by now, Phineas was far too smitten.

At
last the sideboard was delivered and he was invited to join them for
dinner. At this point, his interest in Emily was quite apparent to
the Greens and his manners and skill at his profession seemed to have
overcome his lack of money in their eyes. The only thing lacking was
Emily and he was at a loss as to how he could turn her heart.

Perhaps
if he had gone straight back to the room that night, he would have
slept fitfully yet come to his senses in the morning and eventually
accepted Emily’s rejection. But he did not, instead he rode out to
the clearing beyond the woods and paused under the pale moonlight to
think.

The
thoughts were not good.

He
questioned The Lord and muttered a curse to fate. He felt deserving
of rewards for his services at the church but all he felt now was
mocking indifference. He strode in broad circles around his horse,
mumbling about the unfairness of his mortal life. He cried out an
offering to the whole world in exchange for Emily’s affection.

A stranger appeared then, a hideous lump of a man in a soot black cloak
and wide brimmed, tall hat. He seemed to have stepped from the woods
and stood silently watching Phineas’ rant. After a moment he
tapped the gnarled stick that he carried in one hand lightly on the
ground and thunder rolled across the night sky, startling the birds
from the trees. Their screeches cutting through the night as they
swirled, a dark cloud in a dark sky.

Phineas’
horse looked up startled and stared hard with widened eyes. With a
defensive snort, its nostrils flared and its lips curled back at the
stranger then bolted away, reins flapping behind it as it vanished
down the path back to town. The thunder rumbled away, the birds fled
and the hoof beats faded, the clearing was calm again.

“Phineas
Cooper,” the stranger said in a soft tone.

“I
am he,” he tried to say bravely, for he was not one that was easily
frightened. “Who might you be that sneaks upon a man in his
private moments.”

Had
only Phineas been afraid, dear ones, the story would end here. Such
was not to be, sadly Phineas was a proud man and stood his ground,
waiting for the stranger to answer him.

“I
am the one to whom you called for tonight, the one that can deliver
your Emily’s heart to you.”

“Are
you here to tempt me?”

The
stranger smiled, “I am,” he answered boldly. He tucked the stick
under his arm and moved with an exaggerated limp across clearing. “I
am here, because I heard your pleas.”

“Do
not toy with me, sir,” Phineas warned. “I have no patience for
it this night.”

“I
play no games, I come to make a deal, to offer my services and to
remedy the woefulness of your soul.”

“A
bargain with the Devil is no bargain at all.”

The
stranger seemed taken aback. “You call me a demon? Have I given
you any reason to draw such a conclusion?”

Phineas
sized him up and down in the moonlight and reasoned, most unwisely,
that a demon would surely assume a more pleasing appearance. “A
wizard perhaps? Sorcerer?”

The
stranger shrugged his lump of shoulders, “just a man with a gift
who wishes to help,” he paused, “for a price.”

“What
price might that be?”

He
stroked his chin. “What price would be worth Miss Emily? What is
the value of affection?” He watched Phineas closely and fearing he
might waver he prodded him further, “Rather, what is the price to
not have her? To blindly follow along with whatever fate has decreed
for you?” He paused a moment to let Phineas consider a life alone.
“Perhaps she is not worth a price?”

“She
is worth a king’s crown.”

“Then
perhaps we can strike a deal?”

Oh,
again dear listener, I wish that I could change what happened next
and tell a tale of natural happiness but Phineas and the stranger sat
and talked in the center of the clearing under the pale light of the
full moon and before the cock crowed to herald the encroaching dawn
they had come to an arrangement.

Phineas
did not sleep when he finally returned to Pastor Bellow’s instead
he quickly gathered all the monies he had earned and saved and
ventured out to the home of Judge Plinth. The judge owned the
aforementioned house on the lane leading out of town but he had since
moved on to a much larger piece of property and less humble home. He
sold the house to Phineas that very morning.

Clutching
the deed, he marched out to the Greens house and boldly called upon
Miss Emily without pretense. Upon sight of him, before she had even
stepped out onto the porch, her heart suddenly skipped for a moment.
Her father stepped out first, perhaps to dissuade him but Phineas
insisted. With reluctance, for he believed that Emily did not love
Phineas, Mr. Green gave his blessing if she were to say yes.

Emily
stepped out shyly onto the porch and Phineas dropped to one knee.
“Miss Emily Green I am not one who is good with flowery phrases so
I’ll simply ask if you would you do the me the honor of becoming my
bride?”

Before
he could reach into his waistcoat to procure the ring he had within
she grabbed his hand. “Yes, Master Cooper, I would be honored to
do so,“ she giggled happily.

Mr.
and Mrs. Green looked at each other dumbstruck but they could not
deny their ears.

The
town was atwitter for weeks after as Phineas set about preparing the
house and Emily preparing herself. A date was chosen and the ladies
of the village began making her gown, crafting a shawl and bodice
from the finest white velvet and cream lace in the county. Phineas,
too, was hard at work preparing the house, building furniture and
clearing out nests of wild creatures that had taken up residence.

So
caught up in his work and his plans was Phineas that he forgot all
about the stranger and their agreement and that Emily had even been
bewitched. He came to believe that she truly loved him and that
belief whispered to him, keeping him blindly happy.

The
day came, the weather was perfect, the ceremony was beautiful and it
seemed as though it was truly a blessed day. Phineas had never been
happier as he and Emily shared their first kiss and then walked hand
in hand down the aisle. They retired to the Green’s home to
receive the congratulations of friends and neighbors. The afternoon
wore into the night and lanterns came out, lighting the dusk.

Mr.
Green brought out bottles of wine he had purchased in Virginia as the
fiddler began another round of music. The dancers circled around
under the stars, moving for the enjoyment of the wedding party.
Toasts were raised and the night was without care or worry.

Phineas’
new bride grew tired soon, faint with the excitement of the day and
they eventually excused themselves. A carriage awaited them and to
the hurrahs of the attendees, they rumbled off into the night.

They
waved to the carriage driver as he rode away, leaving them on the
stoop of Phineas’ freshly prepared house. He opened the door and
lifted her in his arms, carrying her across the threshold.

“Where
have you been?” demanded a voice in the dark and a candle suddenly
flamed to life on the hearth.

Sitting
on a hard stool in the corner was the stranger. He leaned forward on
his gnarled stick and scowled at the groom and his bride. Emily’s
eyes widened and she clutched close to Phineas. Phineas’ eyes also
widened though not in shock but in sudden remembrance.

“What
are you doing here?” Phineas hissed.

“Waiting
for you,” the stranger said in disgust. “A long time have I been
sitting here, too.”

“Who-,”
Emily stuttered, “who is this man?”

The
stranger chuckled and it was deep and ominous. “Have you forgotten
our agreement, Phineas Cooper? She is indeed worthy of a king’s
crown.”

“Don’t
you dare to look at her that way, fiend. I refuse to honor our
bargain.” Phineas stepped forward, putting himself between Emily
and the leering stranger.

The
stranger stood now, pointing a crooked, accusing finger at them, “in
exchange for her heart, I get to spend your wedding night with her.
That was the deal, do not deny it now.”

“I
made no such abomination,” Phineas shut his eyes tightly and shook
his head to refuse the thought.

“Phineas!”
Emily called out, “what is he saying?” In breaking the deal, the
spell was now broken and Emily looked around in confused terror at
the house and the gnome-like stranger. “What have you done?”

“He
sold you in order to own you,” the stranger cackled and took a step
forward. “Now he has broken our deal and I’m claiming his bride
as my own!”

“No!”

Who
cried out cannot be said, for all voices were jumbled but there was a
struggle as the stranger reached out and Emily shrank back and
Phineas struck. The stranger’s aspect transformed, standing tall
and straight and looming over them, his lumpish shape having melted
away. His head brushed just inches from the ceiling beams, his black
eyes glittered like polished coal and a wicked smile curled the
corners of his mouth.

Emily,
the poor foolish girl, tried to run but her beautiful gown wrapped
itself around her legs and she fell to the floor at the stranger’s
feet. She tried scooting back but his hand ensnared her wrist and
pulled her up. Sobbing in abject terror, her once white dress was
now besmirched with dust and grime and tears.

“Release
her!” Phineas roared grabbing her other wrist.

“She’s
mine!”

The
stranger, now hearty and hale, planted his feet and tugged. His
unnatural strength caught Phineas by surprise, unbalancing him.
Phineas tried to find purchase on the newly finished floor but his
fancy boots slid him forward.

The
stranger’s eyes glowed an angry red. “Give her to me,” he
insisted and waved his stick at him as it transformed into staff of
highly polished ebony wood. “You’ve broken the deal now pay the
price.”

“Never!
I’ll pursue you into the pit, if need be!” his feet slid
further.

“Then
so be it!” The stranger swung his staff down upon Emily’s arm.
“I’ll leave you something to remember her by, though.”

Phineas
fell back now, hitting the floorboards with a surprised grunt. In
his hands he still held Emily’s arm but it had been severed at the
elbow. He looked up and saw the stranger and Emily, his beloved
Emily, stepping through a portal that had opened in the middle of the
room. Emily was slumped in the stranger’s arm, eyes shut, pale
cheeks even paler and once ruby lips parted and blanched.

“We’ll
see you soon enough,“ the stranger mocked before the portal
squeezed itself down to a dot of darkness then winked out.

They
found him in the morning.

Pastor
Bellow had come down to offer them a morning blessing and some breads
from one of his parishioners’ and received no answer to his
knocking. He stepped around to peer though one of the windows and
spied the signs of a struggle. Furnishings toppled, the rug askew
and blood on the floor. Trying the handle, the door opened and
inside he found poor Emily’s forearm laying lovingly on a pillow.
From the rafters of the ceiling Phineas swung, having hung himself in
order to follow his bride down to the brimstone pits.

Rumors
of what happened in the house quickly ran rampant around the county.
Pastor Bellow tried to cleanse the house but still refused to venture
down the road. The house itself was shuttered and shunned
thereafter.

If
you should happen upon the town, though, visit the church and take a
moment to bend a knee. Say a prayer for foolish Phineas Cooper and
his poor bride Emily, bow your head for their mortal souls. If you
look closely at the back of your pew, perhaps you shall see them,
carved in beautiful relief, suffering at the hands of the stranger.

Write a Review
Did you enjoy my story? Please let me know what you think by leaving a review! Thanks,
Chuck Manson

263Adder:
Okay so I adore this story. I only knocked one star off plot for historical inaccuracies because I'm a bit of a stickler for that. The ending broke my heart though, considering you already changed history couldn't you (SPOILER) change it a bit more and have them together!!!! I want an alternative...

Bri Hoffer:
I couldn't put it down!! The characters are all incredibly likable, and it's so descriptive you can see, smell, and feel thier surroundings. Great story, and very well written. I cannot wait for follow up stories. there were a few grammatical errors, but nothing that I could move right over.

Marimar Amieva:
I just can't believe the story! I absolutely loved it, all of it. The characters and their chemistry between them, and the fact that they are relatable. The story also has some sick plot twists, which I never saw coming. I loved the fact that it is an adorable love story but has its mystery touc...

rihannabkj2:
Great story,I can hardly stop reading this novel. it shows that compassion and love can still exist after so many years between two persons. I most say well done to the Author who wrote this book. Others should read this book inorder to know that there can still be LOVE among two persons no matt...

jessiehs:
This was absolutely amazing. I loved how it went back and forth between perspectives. I actually cried at the end I was so happy. This was amazing. I can't even think of another word to describe it. Thank you for writing his.

Alani Foreigner:
I absolutely loved how you created this story. It isn't like the other cliché stories I've ever read. I had just started reading it yesterday and just had to finish it. The main characters are grotesquely awesome and I fell in love with them. If you're into fantasy and stuff I can guarantee that ...

maewilde25:
I liked this, though it dragged on for over 200pages and heaven knows I did not expect the plot twist in the middle. David being Cristiãn. I was wondering when he would show up and didn't know he was there all along. it looks like there should be a sequel, please let there be a sequel. I know the...

Hudson:
Your story was fantastic Erin! The Rising Sun was one of the first stories I read on Inkitt, and I have to say I don't regret the three to four days I spent pouring through the story.Probably the biggest strength I see in your writing is your characterisation of Eliana, Oriens, and the rest of th...

JONANNA:
As an avid reader it is not often I say that about a book. The plot is what was different and the twists where unexpected. This book is defiantly a page turner and enjoyable read. I can't wait to reread this novel after a little editing to finish off the shine on this wonderful novel.

Stephen Warner:
To start off, I am thoroughly impressed. The writing style is somewhat unique, and the plot seemed to move at a nice and steady pace. However, I was not expecting this to be a vampire book! I am usually not one for novels about vampires, but I was pleasantly surprised! You wrote with such grace a...

daneliacapote116:
This was one of my favorites! When you start reading you want to continue I can't wait for the rest of the novel!! The characters where awesome! Everything was great. I encourage you to read this novel, your going to love it it and want to read it more and more !!

Alkira Joan:
Great story, I found it hard to read especially the dialogue. You just need to fix up some spelling errors and the gramma .I enjoyed this book. was a little hard to get though.,.,..,.,.,,..,.,.,, , , , ,.,, , , , , , , ,., , ,.,,,,,

Jason Phang:
I'm pretty new to Inkitt (this is only my 4th book) and I must say I've been thoroughly impressed by the quality of the authors here. Remnants of Chaos is an excellently written book that hooks the reader, and doesn't let go. There are some grammatical and typographical errors, but nothing too se...

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